Tucker Carlson Validates Anti-Obama Ex Navy Seal's Conspiracy Theory

I suspect that if, during the Bush administration, a military veteran wrote a book excoriating Bush, he or she would not be warmly welcomed by Fox News. But an ex-Navy Seal, who has written a scathing critique of President Obama, has, twice, gotten the royal treatment on Fox & Friends. In August, 2012, Carl Higbie told the pals that he was forced to retire from the Navy, under threat of a dishonorable discharge, after his book "Battle on the Homefront," his account of how the country is being destroyed by Obama, was published. His claim, that the negative reaction to his book was part of a leftist agenda, was met with credulity by the pals. Yesterday, Higbie was back on Fox & Friends for more unsubstantiated paranoia. He is claiming that the Navy's ban on the "Don't Tread on Me" Navy Jack uniform insignia, worn by Navy Seals, is really part of an agenda being perpetrated by Obama and "his leftist cronies" who hate the Navy Jack flag flying Tea Party. Not surprisingly, Higbie's claim was warmly welcomed by Tucker Carlson who didn't mention that Higbie writes for Carlson's website.

Higbie published his Daily Caller article, about this supposed attack on conservatives in the military, on Friday. So, not much time was wasted before he was in the Fox studio. Tucker Carlson (never served in the military), in referencing how the Navy Jack has been a symbol of patriotism, set the message for the piece. [see, those who wear it are patriots and they're being hassled by the evil Obama controlled Navy]. Carlson reported that "the emblem is reportedly being called too radical by some officials in the government" and as such, Navy Seals can no longer wear it on their uniforms. He introduced Carl Higbie as a former Navy Seal and "one of our favorite guests" and not a current writer for the Daily Caller. To Carlson's prompt, Higbie noted that the patch has been commonly worn by Seals. He said the directive was a statement that the "Don't Tread on Me" patch was "no longer authorized." Carlson showed an e-mail, that Higbie reportedly got from one of his former teammates, in which the sender alerted Higbie to the directive.

To Carlson's question of the rationale, Higbie said there was none and friends are "very very angry about the growing gap between the lower ranks...and the senior brass." The chyron framed the message with a Cavuto marked question: "Treading on Patriotism, Seal Reportedly Told Symbol is 'Too Radical'." Higbie pontificated that the brass "will have to choose between career or country that's stuck with the policies of the current administration." Carlson praised Higbie's "great book" which suggests that "politics plays a role in decisions." Higbie spoke of a "battle on the home front" and how he and lawyers are going "to hold them accountable." The chyron reinforced the agitprop with another Cavuto mark: "Banning Our History? Navy Jack's Roots are in American History." Higbie urged people to contact him if they have examples of how the military is "endangering their lives."

To Carlson's scripted question of whether this has "increased since Obama took over," Higbie answered "absolutely." He whined about the "symbolism" behind the flag. Getting conspiratorial, he added, with no basis in fact, that "this is a test to see how far they can push." Eager to reinforce the anti-Obama propaganda and advance the patented Fox persecuted conservative meme, Carlson opined that the "idea is that the real threat is from conservatives in the military, they're the real danger." Higbie claimed that one of his friends said that he was told that the symbol is connected to "extremist groups." Carlson guffawed that this definition applies to those who didn't vote for Obama. Higbie interjected "the Tea Party, guys who believe in the Constitution." He accused Obama of wanting to see "how far he can push before we push back."

When Carlson noted that pushing back has consequences, Higbie said "look what happened to me with this book." (According to one of the plethora of extreme right wing sites that discuss Higbie, he was given a "general discharge.") Carlson responded "so distressing." He thanked Higbie for "illuminating what actually happened."

"Illuminating what actually happened." Excuse me? Higbie didn't illuminate bupkis. His claim, that this directive is part of a vast left wing plot against Navy Seals, is based on nothing but unsubstantiated claims and anti-Obama propaganda - but hey, this is Fox & Friends, so what else is new!

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@richard Burr – Fox News claims to offer fairness and balance to its presentation. The reality, however, is that it is a propaganda outlet for the right wing as evidenced in Tucker Carlson’s interview. It is patently obvious that Mr. Higbie has a vendetta against the president as shown in his book and statements made during the interview. He claims, without evidence, that “patriotic” Navy Seals are being persecuted by the Obama administration. Carlson does not challenge him to provide any specific proof. Rather, Carlson validates the Higbie’s crazy and very partisan talk. Ergo, the propaganda meme is born. It’s not my job to prove the veracity of Fox guests, but rather, to point out the making of the propaganda which, in this case, is patently obvious. If anybody should prove his case, it should be Higbie but as he’s interested in baseless trashing of the Obama administration, that’s not going to happen.

I’m not a fan of Fox in any way shape or form and am fully aware of there agenda. That doesn’t change the fact that you are engaging in the same tactics. Throwing stuff out there without backing it up…. For example… The Daily Show investigates and backs up their issues with Fox. When they call it Bullshit Mountain it’s backed up. It’s pointless to say X said this and it’s obviously a bunch a BS… You want credibility? Prove it’s BS! Otherwise your just stroking yourself and your followers…. Which is exactly what Fox does.

This is a perfect example of why we need real Journalists. Why don’t you get off your computer and do some real Journalism. Tell us why the changes were made. Debunk the guys claims with facts. Talk to the groups involved to see if they really feel this way or is it one guy’s rants…. Otherwise you have just as much credibility as the idiot making the claims.

I guess this guy never heard of Gen. McChrystal…So this Moran thought that it would be alright to publicly denigrate the CIC while still serving? That ALONE tells me this guy is an idiot, do not waste time reading his book or listening to ANYTHING he has to say.